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U. N. resolution 2012 is International Year of Co-ops

NEW YORK (12/22/09)--The United Nations (U.N.) has passed a resolution declaring 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives--the first time the international body has made such a declaration. The National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA) obtained a draft version of the resolution. The final version, which will not be available online for a few days, had no changes, NCBA said. The organization will post the final resolution on its website. "Co-ops help people of all means, from all walks of life, work together for a common good," said NCBA President/CEO Paul Hazen (USAgNet Dec. 21). "That's why they're not only so attractive in the U.S., but in countries around the world." The resolution was supported by the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU). In May, WOCCU CEO Pete Crear spoke at a U.N. meeting of global experts on "Cooperatives in a World in Crisis" (News Now May 6,). At that time, WOCCU said it supported the proposed International Year of Cooperatives for 2012. "Declaring 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives would shine a more intense light on cooperatives and credit unions worldwide," Crear said in May.